AP PhotoThe Cardinals are looking for more ways to get the ball in cornerback Patrick Peterson's hands.

ALLEN PARK -- Patrick Peterson is already one of the NFL's best cornerbacks and most dangerous punt returners, but the Arizona Cardinals have said throughout the offseason that a bigger role on offense is the next frontier for their young star.

The talk didn't amount to much in the team's season-opening loss to the St. Louis Rams. Peterson saw just three offensive snaps and the one ball thrown in his direction was batted down at the line of scrimmage.

"We had planned on using him some more, but there wasn't really a need at that point in time," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said. "He's got a playbook now of about 60 plays and it's just a matter of how much he plays on defense."

When asked how legitimate of a threat Peterson can be as an offensive weapon, Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz wasn't interested in discussing the hypothetical.

"How they use him on offense and whether he's a weapon or not on offense, I mean that doesn't depend on us, that depends on how they want to try to use him," Schwartz said. "We'll be ready for whatever they do."

"He can change things up, kind of what Reggie has done for that offense there," Palmer said. "He brings a different factor to the game. It is that absolute speed, quickness, elusiveness factor that's very unique. There is only a handful of guys in the entire National Football League that have the ability that he has."

Ideally, the Cardinals would like to get Peterson the ball in space, where he can operate like he does on punt returns. He's returned four punts for touchdowns in his brief career.

"Oh gosh, he's such a playmaker," Arians said. "Once he gets his hands on the ball as a punt returner, he's so dynamic. He's the same thing offensively."